The Buffalo City Committee on Legislation voted Tuesday to send a special-use permit application for 1343 East Ferry and a zoning map amendment for 2094 Fillmore to the full City Council without recommendation.

The items were discussed at a public hearing during the committee’s Oct. 21 meeting. Anthony James, an architect for the project, said the applicant seeks to rezone a one-lot parcel adjacent to N3E so it may be used for commercial purposes, and described the intended use as a bakery storefront. "Yes, this is Anthony James. I'm architect for the project. What we're asking for here is a rezoning of a 1 lot adjacent to N 3 E to make that N 3 E so that it can be used for commercial purpose," James said.

The committee’s action sends both items on to the full City Council without recommendation rather than approving or denying them at the committee level. Council Member Bowman said she planned to "send it without rec" and requested a follow-up conversation with the applicant before the council meeting.

A nearby business owner raised concerns during public comment about unrelated infrastructure work on the Fillmore Street bridge near Kensington Avenue that he said has harmed his business. "As soon as you guys started working on that bridge, business almost is gonna shut down," said Adam, who identified himself as the owner of Adams Tires and Auto Repair. He asked the council for information about the project timeline because the construction has affected customer access and his ability to pay rent.

Council Member Eberhard noted that the work on the Fillmore Street bridge began in April and said residents and businesses had been aware of the project earlier in the year. "The work started in April, I believe, and it has been scheduled to continue through the rest of this month," Eberhard said, adding that he had sought updates on a completion date but had not yet received a definitive answer from the city.

Committee members opened and closed the public hearings for the two items in sequence. The special-use permit for 1343 East Ferry (item 17) and the zoning map amendment for 2094 Fillmore (item 18) were both moved to be sent without recommendation and were seconded by Council Member Rivera.

The committee did not record a roll-call vote or tally in the hearing transcript for either item; the transcript records the motions and seconds only. The committee’s referral means the full Buffalo City Council will consider the applications at a later meeting, where a final decision could be made.

If the council approves the zoning map amendment changing the parcel at 2094 Fillmore to N3E and the special-use permit for 1343 East Ferry, the property owner could move forward with converting the lot to commercial use, such as the bakery described in the application. Committee members requested a follow-up meeting between the applicant and council staff before the full council hearing.